Welsh scientists play a key role in breakthrough on bovine TB
Research by two Welsh scientists has paved the way for a possible breakthrough in the worldwide fight against bovine TB (bTB).
Two skin tests for cattle have been developed that can distinguish between bTB-infected and bTB-vaccinated animals.
If approved following field trials, and backed by policy-makers, the tests could see cattle being vaccinated against bTB within five years.
While unlikely to end the scourge of bTB overnight, it would offer hope to British farmers who, in the 12 months to March, saw almost 44,000 cattle slaughtered to contain the disease.
The potential breakthrough is the result of 20 years of bTB research, said Professor Glyn Hewinson, who leads the newly established Centre of Excellence for Bovine TB at Aberystwyth University.
“It would wonderful if either of these tests succeeds in bringing about significant improvements in the control of bovine TB globally,” he said.
A bTB vaccine has been around for more than a century, but as current tests cannot distinguish between vaccinated and diseased animals, vaccination is not permitted in the EU, USA and many other countries.
Details of the two new skin tests were published in the July 17 issue of Science Advances.
Both tests were created by an international team of scientists from Ethiopia, India, the Netherlands, the UK and USA.
They were supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Defra, and the Welsh and Scottish govern
ments.
The team built on the work of Prof Hewinson and Professor Martin Vordermeier of Aberystwyth University.
While working at the Animal & Plant Health Agency, the pair determined the genetic composition of bTB bacteria before establishing the protein combinations that can differentiate between vaccinated and diseased cattle.
The new tests must now be evaluated and approved by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
Safety studies are already under way in the UK and India.
Prof Vordermeier said: “Development of these tests is a crucial step on the long and challenging journey to implement cattle TB vaccine programmes.
“Without such tests, traditional test and slaughter control strategies could not be pursued alongside vaccination.”
It is hoped the new tests will enable global vaccination programmes to reduce bTB transmission between cattle, and from cattle to humans.
But Prof Hewinson warned: “Vaccination is not a panacea and should only be used in addition to other control measures – it is just another control tool in the box.”
A panel discussion organised by Aberystwyth University at the Royal Welsh Show considered how farmers, vets and scientists can tackle bTB.
The TB Or No TB? event was held yesterday at the university’s pavilion.
Co-ordinated by Prof Hewinson, other contributors included Wales’ chief vet Dr Christianne Glossop, and Glamorgan dairy farmer Abi Reader.